Number 4 means Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Found in grocery bags and cling wraps, this plastic is safe and recyclable.

Number 5 means Polypropylene (PP) as normally found in yogurt cups and cloudy bottles. This type of plastic is safe and recyclable.

Number 6 means Polystyrene (PS). If you buy a take-out coffee, you are most likely served with cups made of PS.

Number 7 means other types of plastic resins that are not mentioned above, mostly invented post 1987. It includes Polycarbonate (PC), Polylactide (PLA) and BPA-Free plastics. PLA is fine to use for food-based containers as it is the type of plastic that is made from renewable resources with high starch content like potatoes and sugar canes. It is unrecyclable but since it is made from plants, these plastics can be composted.

Now that you know which plastic is safe to pick, which type of plastic resin should you pick for your plastic containers?